Summary: Apostles, Pt. 16

As avid Peanuts readers know, the strong-willed Lucy had an old-fashioned crush on the music-minded Schroeder, who had eyes and time for his piano only. Often, she went out of her way to shower her affection to him by leaning on his piano, but Schroeder never returned the interest or reciprocated in love.

Once, Lucy asked Schroeder, who was busy playing on the piano, what love was. Schroeder stood at attention and recited its definition, “Love: a noun referring to a deep, intense, ineffable feeling toward another person or persons.” When Schroeder sat down to resume his piano playing, Lucy looked wistfully into the distance and groaned, “On paper, he’s great.”

The apostles’ ultimate test and true colors were set into motion after observing the Last Supper. In the first rare and private moment that Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve (v 20), as Mark also noted (Mark 14:18), Jesus shocked the disciples by announcing His betrayal at the hands of one of the apostles. Following that, He predicted an emerging scandal would sadden scare, shame and even stumble and scatter the disciples, culminating with Peter’s denial of Christ. Peter did not listen to or learn from Jesus’ warning because he was too full with himself, busily reacting, denying and rationalizing. He immediately rejected Jesus’ account of the scandal, especially his involvement.

What steps should we take to resist, counter and domesticate pride that persists and continues in our lives?

Be Perturbed, But Do Not Be Pressured

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.” 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Matt 26:20-30)

An old man met an old lady, and they fell in love. One day, the old man gathered up all his courage and asked the old lady to marry him. She said “YES.”

When the old man got home, he remembered asking the old lady to marry him, but he couldn’t remember whether she had said “YES” or “NO.”